Electrical gas-lighter.



Patented Sept. 2, I902.

J. G. POPPERT. ELECTRICAL GAS LIGHTER.

(Application filed Jan. 7, 1902.)

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UNITED STATES PATENT OEEIcE.

JESSE G. POPPERT, OF MILXVAUKEE, WISCONSIN.

ELECTRICAL GAS-LIGHTER.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 708,398, dated September 2, 1902. Application filed January 7, 1902. Serial No. 88,815. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that l, JESSE G. POPPERT, a citizen of the United States, residing at Milwaukee, county of Milwaukee, and State of \Visconsin, haveinvented new and useful Improvements in Electrical Gas -Lighters, of which the followingis a specification.

My invention relates to improvements in electrical gas-lighters.

The object of my invention is to provide a form of mechanism which may be conveniently operated by pressure of the thumb or finger of the hand in which the device is held.

In the following description reference is had to the accompanying drawings, in which- Figure 1 is a side'view of my invention. Fig. 2 is a longitudinal sectional view drawn at right angles to the push-button. Fig. 3is a cross-sectional view on the line of the pushbutton.

Like parts are identified by the same reference characters throughout the several views.

A handle 1 is provided with a laterally-extending bushing 2, which constitutes a bearing for a push-button 3. A stationary rod 5 is inserted in the end of the handle 1, being preferably provided with a screwthreaded end 6, which engages in a suitable socket in the handle 1 and bears against a spring 7 within the socket, as shown in Fig. 2. An axially-rotatable rod 8 is also inserted in the end of the handle, with bearings at 9 and in a ferrule 10, which is screwed into the end of the handle, whereby the rod 8 is held in a position parallel to that of the rod 5. The outer end of the rod 8 is provided with a coiled spring 12, having one end extended to form a yielding contact-arm 13, adapted to engage with and snap past the end of the rod 5, which is also preferably provided with a yielding or resilient tip 14, when the rod 8 is rotated. At or near the inner end of the rod and within the handle 1 a spring 15 is coiled-around the rod 8,with one end secured to the handle and the other end looped around an arm 16,which projects laterally from the rod 8 in the path of the push-button 3, so that when the latter is pushed inwardly the rod is caused to rotate on its longitudinal axis against the'tension of the spring 15, which when the push-button is released reacts and restores both the button and the rod 8 to normal position. The arrangement is such that when the rod Sis thus oscillated or partially turned by pressure on the push-button the contact-ar1n 13 will engage with and snap past the end of the rod 5, this movement being repeated in the opposite direction during the spring reaction. The rear end of the handle is provided with a cap 20, which incloses binding-posts 21 and 22, to which flexible conductors 23 and 24, passing through suitable apertures in the cap 20, are respectively connected.

25 and 26 are conductors leading from the binding-posts 21 and 22 to the springs 7 and 15, respectively, each spring and its respective conductor being preferably formed integrally-of a single pieceof wire.

Anysuitable source of current-supply, such as the batteries 30 and sparking-coil 31, may be utilized.

It will be understood that the handle and push-button will be formed of gutta-percha or other non-conducting material. The handie is preferably formed of two parts secured together at the rear end by a cap 20 and at the front end by a binding-ring 36, thus furnishing convenient means of separation for examination or repairs of interior parts.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new, and desire to secure byLetters Patent, is

1. An electrical igniter, comprising a handle; a laterally extending push button; a fixed electrode projecting from the handle; an axially-oscillating electrode, having a resilient arm adapted to engage the fixed electrode, and yieldingly pass the same; an arm projecting from the oscillating electrode into the path of the push-button; a coiled spring located on the oscillating electrode with one arm secured to the handle, and the other engaged under the push-button arm of said electrode; and electrical conductors leading from a suitable source of current-supplyand electrically connected'with said electrode;

said handle being made in longitudinally-divided sections, adapted to inclose the inner ends of the electrodes and the actuatingspring of the oscillating electrodes.

2. An electrical igniter, comprising a handle; a fixed electrode having end-to-cnd connection therewith; an oscillatory electrode, arranged for positive make-and-break contact with the fixed electrode; a push-button extending laterally from the handle, and having operative connection with the oscillatory electrode; a spring for retracting said electrode; flexible conductors connecting the electrodes with a suitable source of currentsupply; said oscillatory electrode being pro- I0 vided with suitable bearings in the interior of said handle; and a ferrule connected with the handle and projecting therefrom to support said electrode exteriorly, and hold the same in position in the handle.

In testimony whereof I afiix my signature 15 in the presence of two witnesses.

JESSE G. POPPERT. WVitnesses:

J As. B. ERWIN, C. L. ROEsOH. 

